Help! Leaving puppy for the first time....
 

Ok, so some of you know who my husband and I are and our story about loosing our precious Buster and all of the trauma that we went through...Well, it was only natural that when we got Bruizer I would be very protective and watchful of him....That is all fine and good except that my husband has been taking him to work everyday....he has gotten quite used to this routine and it has worked out well....I should say that we have had him now for 3 weeks.....Now my husband has to travel on certain days of the week so he cannot take him every single day....Last Tuesday my husband had to travel so we set the puppy pen up, put food and water in with him, lined the whole pen with puppy pads, put toys in there, turned the tv on and went to work.....my housekeeper got to the house about 10 am and she said he cried from 10 am until 3 pm when our children got home! As a matter of fact he made himself sick!! She said he only stopped when he went to sleep for about 30 minutes!! I was so worried for him when I got home! I gave him a little nutrical because he just looked really worn out and I didn't want him to have any kind of hyploglcemic spell....(he has never had one for the record but, like I said before...I'm a little over protective)...Well, tomorrow he will be home alone again....Do you guys think that he will eventually be ok with being home alone a few days a week? I haven't had any luck with someone to watch him for me, plus I'm always scared that something will happen to him while he is in the care of someone else. Like, I worry someone might step on him or he will run off and get hit by a car etc...I know this is probably a little obsessive but, I cannot help it.....Does anyone have any advise on how I can help him make this transition? I don't want him to cry all day!!:confused: Any advise will be much appreciated!!

Have you tried leaving the radio or tv on while your gone?

I think probably it wasn't a good idea for your hubby to take him to work with him, now, he's confused since its stopped. I would also suggest leaving a tv or radio on, and wouldn't take him to work anymore, as it just confuses him

Yes, we left the tv on. It doesn't seem to help him. I'm not sure if we should put the pen in beside our sliding door so he can see outside? I don't know if that would help or make it worse!

If I were you, I would look into doggie daycare. You're little one WILL get used to a new routine of being home alone. It's like crate training when they're babies. They're going to cry in their crate for a while until they learn to get used to it and learn that it's their own little safe place to get away from things when they want to. But if you really worry about him being upset at home, definitely see if there is a doggie daycare in your area. My guys LOVED it when I took them. Ask the place for references so you can make sure it's right for you. You're little guy would have other furbabies to play with and you wouldn't have to worry about him being all by himself

Doggy day care would definitely be the answer if you can afford it
It gives him something to do and occupy him so he doesn't miss you so much
As a puppy this will be new to him but if you find a good one they will treat him very well
and soon you'll have a hard time keeping him from wanting to go

I live in a town of 2,000 people. I have looked. We don't have one within 100 miles of us so daycare is out. Do you guys think it would be easier for him to adapt being at home alone if we leave him consistantly instead of two days a week and then the rest of the week my husband taking him to work? That may be confusing to him.

Did you try and leave a piece of your husband clothing or your clothing in his pen with him? Maybe that will help along with the TV/Radio, etc. Just a thought.....:aimeeyork

Now If this were me...I would still have your hubby take him the other day. My mother and her husband have a similiar thing going. Most days the dogs go to work, but sometimes they can't. They get used to it. I would have him have him to work! But that is me and I have seen that it DOES work out!

I followed your original post and Im so happy you have found a new baby and he is healthy and well. I think they will adapt to whatever you condition them to. I would continue to take him to work when possible and at home when not. When at home try music or tv, a really yummy chew thing for distraction, clothing. But its good for him to get out and socialize as well as learn to be home alone. Your doing a great job, most puppies cry when left alone. Your husband must also be having seperation anxiety having to leave the dog ;)

That's kind of what I said when I posted on the 2nd post down from your original post:confused:

Sorry, I didn't see that post! I don't think that he will take him anymore until he gets a little older. Little one's adapt to a routine. I agree with you on this. When he gets older then maybe it won't be such a big deal. Like I said before. I wanted my husband to take him at first because I wanted him watched 24/7 to make sure everything was ok with him. I even got up in the middle of the night to make sure he was breathing! After you lose a pup it is hard not to be so protective but, he is healthy and need to let go a little. I think after a few days of this he will understand that we are only leaving him for a short time and that we will be back. Thanks for your advise.

Little pups need to be socialized like crazy when they are young, so I would continue to bring him to work when your husband can. On the days he is home alone, YES - I would put the expen by the window so he can look out. I would also get a small crate to go in the pen too, this way he can 'retreat to safety' if he needs to feel secure ;)

I really think when he's that young, it just confuses him when he takes him to work, I agree, when he gets older it will be better. What you may want to start trying is leave for about 10 minutes, then come back in the house, then go 1/2 hour and so on and so forth. He will see that you're going to come back.

I called the vet to ask his opinion. He said we should do one or the other but, his main concern was the potty training. He said that if he is used to being taken outside and then we put puppy pads down this will confuse him. So, we're back to square one I guess....

How old is he?

I think he is a little confused right now by the change. Leaving clothing or blankets, somthing with the scent of you guys will be comforting to your puppy while you are gone. Your going to have to either take the pup, or have him in the e-pen. one or the other. This is a transisting time, but, eventually he will settle doen and get used to the change. just stick to whatever you decide on doing. Try not going back and forth with him.
My Suzi One yrs old. We live in a apartment complex, and she is pad trained. She also goes to the bathroom outdoors. But, she's older and she was the the one who decided to do that when she was ready. Now ever time we go for a walk she will poo outdoors as well pee all the time.
Be consistent with your little puppy .

It can confuse them, but as a mommy who uses pee pads and takes her babies outside I can honestly say thank heaven for pee pads! My guys KNOW when I say "let's go potty" that we're going outside to go. Let's face it, life happens and sometimes we get stuck at work too long (I don't take mine every single day to the groom shop) or something comes up and we have to be gone a little longer than expected. Or maybe we're dead asleep and can't be woken in the middle of the night. The pee pads are a life saver for things like that. My guys know what they're for, but they also know their morning, afternoons, and night routines of going to potty outside at regular hours.

[quote]What you may want to start trying is leave for about 10 minutes, then come back in the house, then go 1/2 hour and so on and so forth. He will see that you're going to come back.[quote]

Michelle, how is little Bruizer doing? I was going to suggest the above so he gets used to being alone a little at a time. I also think the idea of leaving a piece of clothing with him and putting a crate/pet taxi carrier in the puppy pen for him would be helpful. Perhaps he is overwhelmed and a smaller space would make him less anxious. I hope he gets along ok, he sure is a cutie.

Ok, well, Bruizer has been by himself at home all week so far. Yesterday the lady who cleans my house arrived about 10:30 am Bruizer was in his x pen and she went into the laundry room to do laundry. She turned around and he was just standing in the laundry room. She said she put him back into his x pen and about 30 minutes later he was out again! He can climb his pen and then get on top of his crate and JUMP down!! Has anyone had this problem?? He is not very big at all! He is 2 lbs even!! His little legs are only about an inch and a half long!! Any suggestions? I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself! I took out his crate today so he could not climb on top of it! We'll see if he gets out today! I am up for any ideas that you guys might have!! He is such a smart little boy!!
Michelle

Well Michele there is only one solution....One of you are going to HAVE to quit your job so Bruizer can be trained. I quarantee that many here will agree with me! :p

PS -Enjoy the little stinker!

omg, he can jump out of his pen. The little baby is a determined fellow .You may need to place him in your bedroom. put pee pads down for him , and his food and water bowls. Make it puppy proof as well. That is the only other thing I can think of, unless you can block off anther part of the house where he will be safe. I think he wants more room. And he is lonely when you guys are gone. therefore when your house keeper arrives, he goes to her. It's playtime. And he wants company. No little puppy wants to be alone alll day long.
this is a difficult situation for everyone. Is there anyone who can come over and keep him comapny while you guys are working? at least for a little while? I agree that this is one smart little baby! :aimeeyork

Well, we took the crate out and he did not climb out! If we keep it on the hardwood surface he doesn't climb it only if it is on carpet. He is sooooo smart! ha-ha! I'll keep you guys posted on how this ends up. He just really doesn't like being alone!